There’s a saying about variety being the spice of life. Today, the Eels moved from their usual morning field session to the late afternoon and there was plenty of footy to watch.
Why the change?
The Eels under 20s squad were sharing the field and ran their attacking plays against the NRL boys. Given that the young blokes train in the afternoon as most are busy during the day in work or education, this combined session could only take place at Jersey Flegg training.
Two squads in attendance meant there were plenty of people watching proceedings. Tepai, who was doing a bit of running with the rehab group (nothing to be concerned about there), called out his encouragement to the 20s as they filed past – “Give it to ’em boys!”
For the record, Kasey Badger was in control of the hit out. With the entire session confined to the 20 metre zone, the Eels obviously didn’t provide the kilometres that she was looking for. Consequently, she spent about 20 minutes running after the opposed work concluded. Like the rest of the referee ranks, she lacks nothing in fitness.
Both the NRL and Flegg teams did an outstanding job in the play the ball, and I can’t recall a penalty being blown.
Here’s an overview of what transpired:
The Structure
Both teams went through separate warm ups and stretches. The NRL boys added fatigue to their preparation with a game of full field, two hand touch.
This game also involved the defender sprinting off the field, and around a marker before re-joining the defence line. It’s non-stop play with nowhere to hide.
The Flegg team then lined up in the 20m zone with strike pads, allowing the NRL team to work through their attacking shapes for about 10 minutes. This would be the last time that the top grade blokes would see the ball for the next 40 minutes or so. It was time for relentless defence.
In an opposed session similar to last year, the 20s were given what must have been at least 40 sets of 6 from close range as the NRL team were asked to turn away everything thrown at them.
Although it wasn’t match level intensity, some of the hits would have left a mark. I’d be surprised if Dylan Brown doesn’t wake up in the morning with a reminder of a Matagi shot across his chest. A fine hello from one Kiwi to another!
The defensive structures and behaviours – communicating, getting off the line, numbering up etc were being tested against an unfamiliar attack. When the first grade squad splits into two groups for their usual opposed work, everyone is accustomed to each other. Although the Flegg team are at a lower skill and experience level compared to NRL players, many of the top squad would be unaware of the likes of Taipari, Brown, Afualo or Tupou. It asks different questions of the defence when the opposition is unknown.
The Highlights
* Kenny Edwards – he was outstanding. He’s an astute defender, with a good read of the play. Even when he was interchanged off, he was still barking instructions and encouragement for the team.
* Will Smith – deceptively strong, he got himself under a much bigger opponent who seemed certain to score and actually lifted him up and pushed him back.
* Tim Mannah – outstanding defence in the middle, including some powerful one on one tackles.
* Mitch Moses – clever in his communication. Organises the surrounding defenders well. Seems to also read the entire line.
* Line Speed – even after 30 minutes of constant defending, the team kept getting off their line.
* Talk – loud and specific. Following calls, players adjusted quickly when returning to the line. When breaks were taken, players that worked together (eg left side, right side) would break away and quickly review their movements.
The Result
After conceding an early try, and sensing the steam emanating from BA, the Eels defence became a near impenetrable wall.
The 20s were missing a couple of gun players, but Taipari and Brown ensured that questions were asked. “Smokin Joe” has an incredible left foot step which caught some of the NRL forwards off guard throughout the session and Brown was constantly switching the point of the attack.
Tui Afualo required the attention of multiple defenders on every run, and Michael Tupou and Sean Keppie provided the grunt through the middle.
New Flegg coach, Dean Feeney, would have noted the handling errors – undoubtedly the pressure exerted by NRL defenders and the accompanying frustration were factors in some untidy periods.
Overall, there was plenty of energy and effort on effort in the defence. Given the conditioning that the squad has undertaken with Lachlan Wilmot, I was expecting nothing less.
There was obviously plenty for BA to take out of this. He spent a bit of time talking individually to certain players and he seemed to be keeping notes throughout the session.
Not long now people!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Footnote: Jarryd Hayne was engaged in additional running as the team worked through their extras. The media likes to use the same image of Haynesy (taken on his first day of pre-season) in many of their columns about his fitness. The current photo would look much different.
Great read mate; i gather the NRL boys learned a bit about themselves and the Flegg boys too.
Where does the coach come from in Flegg? So was the play planned to be in the NRL 20 for assessment of our goal line defence? Did Jarryd participate in this? Or did you mean he ran when they did other things at the end?
Dean Feeney was Luke Burt’s assistant last year
The 20s were given constant ball in the NRL teams red zone in different situations eg scrums, drop outs, regathers to test the NRL teams goal line defence. So if the NRL team kept them out, the 20s were given the ball back immediately to try again
Jarryd participated. The running was extras after the opposed session
Ok thanks Parrathru
Great stuff 60’s, love this sort of report and for me the best part is reading about the younger players and how they are going against an NRL side.
I am certainly hopping that the reports of Keppie going to Manly are wrong, as he has a bright future, would be better in the B&G, also good to read how Tui is going, there’s some youngins there that show the club is going to be a force even when some of the top players retire.
Methinks the eels coaching squad will need to attend lessons on balancing, hard with the way things look in getting right with good talent.
What is it the coaches need attend lessons for col and keppie gone 2019
? Are we not allowed a question and statement? Do not understand what you are trying to say.
I don’t think any lessons are needed Col, but with contracts expiring, and young players signed beyond this year, we’re on the right path. Just bear in mind that players will always move on. Other clubs offering massive overs bring that about. We used to get into bidding wars and pay overs for unproven juniors – eg Jakob Loko. Won’t happen now. That’s the bottom line.
60’s, when I said lessons, it was pretty well tongue in cheek, nothing more nothing less.
With the way the whole squad is going and reading from these reports, the way things are going it gives me a more positive outlook for the future. No matter who is picked and who is left out it is really a balancing act as to who will fit a position best for any given match meaning that if the cattle are there, different games will have different players.
It makes it hard though, when a reply is put in that is basically not understandable, at least to me.
I don’t think its wrong though to say that its hard to loss some players, but as you say we have lessons with Loko and how many others over the years also?
Ah, the limitations of the written word Colin. Tongue in cheek can be difficult to determine when there is no voice to hear it with.
I gather you are now referring to a horses for courses with the selection process. I had wondered whether the bench would work that way. Regardless, injury and form ultimately shapes the team too.
I would think the coaches would have each position pretty well covered in their minds as to who will be picked. However, the way I am looking at it is that compared to last season, there are a few more players well in contention for spots with the options making for some hard decisions, although as say, injuries and form will play part of the decision making.
OTOH, there are enough players showing form early on that will push hard for positions, that will likely make decisions harder when the injury side of the ledger is less or not applicable. This aspect if it transpires can mean the prospect of resting some players through the year, giving others a chance to show their wares..
Glad you explained that col ,can see what you meant to say now , all good mate .
No worries at all. I see the year as being very positive and choices for spots is better than we have seen for some time now.
Thus the balancing will see some hopefully interesting choices in team selections..
Thanks sixties
Adding to what I said before is its good to see the players have got the play the ball area right, except it would seem for the juniors, which begs me to ask does the junior teams get refs at their training so this can be applied across the game.
If it does not make it too hard on the players of each grade and group, would be good if it was possible for this sort of work to be in operation at least weekly, would be good for bonding not just for the refereeing aspect,
Every step is and should be one that is forward.
The crackdown is on. It’s up to the coaches and players now. It’s as simple as that.
Its a real treat to get intelligent reports on the boyz and the comments are great to. Thx all.
You’re welcome mate.
one of my favourite training reports so far, mate.
hurry up Round 1.
Here before u know it ,
Woohoo!
Are you saying that the media might be bending the truth to get good Hayne stories 🙂
I don’t think they’ve been too kind about his fitness!
Thanks sixties – sounds like a very targeted session – maybe a BA special? Great to hear about the flegg boys give it to them. You mentioned it is a repeat of something similar to last year – any sense on whether the defensive result was the same?
The defence was better this year, though Salesi Faingaa wasn’t involved this year.
Im thinking with Hayne he could keep a little bit of bulk on if hes playing in the centres which doesnt require quite the level of aerobic fitness as fullback.
Yes, but there isn’t as much bulk now.
Perfect
If the referees (NRL) are going to enforce correct play the balls I hope they also crack down on the wrestle in the tackle and call held sooner when forward momentum is stopped.
Saddened to hear about the passing of John McMartin. One of my favourite players.
Can’t dispute that Rocket when I devoted a post to the list of play the ball rules that could be applied.
How did Mrs Badger go with the whistle? I’ve not been impressed with the flag work, so wondering if she’s more suited to the middle than the line.
Clearly the red zone defence is an area where BA is looking to improve from last year. We were ok in that area, but there were games where we were just plain awful, especially out wide, where we were slow to slide. Plugging the gaps on our line gives me even more confidence (if that was possible lol).
Couldn’t complain about her work, but this was very contrived opposed work.
Semi used to be very guilty of being caught out in defence.